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The challenge

Boost economy during a predicted energy crisis

More than 60 per cent of the Panamanian economy is linked to hydropower plants, so when the country was hit by a perfect storm in 2013 – low rainfall that depleted levels in the hydro-electric plants, temporary irregularities in the electricity market, delays in the construction of a transmission line, and an increase in demand for electricity – the result was one of Panama’s most serious energy crises to date.

To avoid the ongoing havoc and keep the economy growing, the Panamanian Government sent out an SOS to find quick, reliable, cost-effective interim power until the permanent energy grid could catch up. We were the obvious choice thanks to our proven experience in delivering multi-megawatt power in a short time.

Project fact file

60
days

Time to install system

80
MW

Interim power supplied

84

Generators supplied

40,000
MW

Monthly power generated

The solution

Use our local hub to supply 80 MW of power

Our global reach and experience meant we could handle a large, complex project driven by a tight deadline. We used our Panama hub to source the units and in 60 days installed 84 generators, 21 transformers, 26 fuel tanks, and two 230 kV transformers to supply 80 MW of power.

Not only did we have to get the interim power package installed, we also had to manage a range of other activities, such as site selection and preparation, environmental impact study, generation licenses, electrical studies, equipment installation, fuel management and commercial management of the Panama electrical market.

the aggreko difference

You don't just get hardware; you get an expert team with local knowledge.

The impact

A potential crisis averted

We were able to supply 80 MW of interim power to Panama, which avoided the restrictions of 2013 that saw public buildings, government offices, supermarkets, and restaurants open for reduced hours, school and university classes suspended, the work day for state employees cut, and streetlights turned off.

The boost to the economy through the interim power package was significant. In fact, the implementation power project was so successful we were asked to supply an additional 24 MW, bringing the total package to 104 MW.

“This is, we believe, the first time that a temporary power supplier has entered a country's wholesale electricity market competing with permanent power generators.”